Professor Fellmeth of the Children's Advocacy Institute Interviewed on Local FOX Affiliate

San Diego (August 28, 2012) – Today, Executive Director Robert Fellmeth of the Children’s Advocacy Institute (CAI) at the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law was interviewed on FOX 5 San Diego News about the passage of California Senate Bill 1476.

The bill would allow judges to recognize more than two parents during a custody hearing if it's in the best interest of the child's welfare. Co-sponsored by CAI and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the bill awaits a signature from Governor Jerry Brown.

CAI contends that SB 1476 protects children by recognizing the bonds they share with their parents and the legal and emotional security those bonds provide. Recognizing legal parenthood gives a child the right to financial, emotional, and psychological support from his or her parents, reduces the state’s financial responsibility for the child, and keeps children out of foster care by giving courts more options for placement.

SB 1476 does not change the definition of parenthood, or allow temporary caretakers to be considered parents. It merely provides that when the evidence shows that more than two people meet the existing legal definition of a child’s parent, the court may recognize those individuals and their legal obligations if doing so would be required to protect the best interests of the child.